Golf contest and method

ABSTRACT

An efficient golf contest and methods of playing and operating it are provided. A player acquires a supply of golf balls, which may be limited, and a golf club. The player must hit golf balls from a first location into a first hole located a first distance from the first location, a second hole located a second distance from the first location, and a final hole located a final distance from the first location, all within a standard, in order to advance in the contest. The standard can be defined by any one or a combination of a limited supply of golf balls available to play all of the holes, a limited playing time to play all of the holes, and comparing the playing time to the playing times of other players in the contest such that only a selected number or percentage of players with the lowest playing times will advance.

RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 61/451,220, filed on 10 Mar. 2011.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a golf contest. Specifically, the invention is directed to a method of playing golf in a contest and a method of operating a golf contest.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The general concept of a golf contest is known from the website, http://www.usputtingtour.com. The disclosed contest involves playing from 18 to 48 holes of golf on a golf course, and can take between 70 and 90 minutes for a player to complete. Advancement through several levels of the contest can be time consuming, especially for players who have full time jobs and other commitments. There is a need or desire for a golf contest that allow players to test their skills quickly, involves rapid advancement or elimination, and offers the potential for valuable prizes to the winners.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a golf contest that accomplishes the foregoing and other objectives. The golf contest can be played on one or several courses, depending on the number of participants. The golf contest offers the potential for rapid advancement and valuable prizes in return for a modest entry fee and demonstration of sufficient skills. Because the competition time is short, the contest is available to a wide variety of golfers, regardless of how busy their schedules are.

From a player's perspective, the contest of the invention can be described as a method of playing golf in a contest, including the steps of:

a) acquiring a supply of golf balls and at least one golf club;

b) hitting one or more golf balls from the supply from a first location toward a first hole located a first distance from the first location until a golf ball lands in the first hole;

c) hitting one or more golf balls from the supply from the first location toward a second hole located a second distance from the first location until a golf ball lands in the second hole;

d) hitting one or more golf balls from the supply from the first location toward a final hole located a final distance from the first location until a golf ball lands in the third hole; and

e) advancing to a higher level in the contest only if steps b)-d) are completed within a standard.

The second distance is typically greater than the first distance and the final distance is typically greater than the second distance.

The standard can be defined as including a time limit of short duration, a limited number of golf balls in the supply, or a combination of both. The standard can also include recording a playing time required to complete steps b)-d), comparing the playing time with other playing times by others in the contest, and allowing a predetermined portion of players with the lowest playing times to advance.

From the perspective of a single golf course operator, or a person who operates all or a portion of the contest using a single golf course, the invention can be described as a method of operating a golf contest, including the steps of:

a) providing a golf course including a first location, a first hole located a first distance from the first location, a second hole located a second distance from the first location, and a final hole located a final distance from the first location;

b) allocating a supply of golf balls to a player on the golf course;

c) allowing the player a limited opportunity to hit golf balls from the first location into the first hole, the second hole and the final hole, wherein the limited opportunity includes at least one of limiting a number of golf balls in the supply and limiting a playing time;

d) recording a playing time if the player successfully hits golf balls into the first hole, the second hole and the final hole, and comparing the playing time to a standard; and

e) advancing the player to a higher level in the contest if the playing time compares favorably to the standard.

From the perspective of a contest operator who operates the contest using a plurality of golf courses, the invention can be defined as a method of operating a golf contest, including the steps of:

a) providing a plurality of golf courses, each golf course including a first location, a first hole located from a first distance from the first location, a second hole located a second distance from the first location, and a final hole located a final distance from the first location;

b) providing a plurality of players on each golf course;

c) allowing each player on each golf course a limited opportunity to hit golf balls from the first location into the first hole, the second hole and the final hole;

d) recording a playing time of each player on each golf course who successfully hits golf balls into the first hole, the second hole and the final hole, and comparing each playing time to a standard; and

e) advancing each player whose playing time compares favorably to the standard, to a higher level in the contest.

These and other embodiments of the invention are further described in the following Detailed Description of the Invention, read in conjunction the drawings. The detailed description and drawings are exemplary, and are not intended to limit the invention to the specific features described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a contest layout for the golf contest and method. The contest layout can be incorporated into a single golf course, or multiple golf courses at different locations.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an advancement sequence for a golf contest of the invention that utilizes multiple golf courses.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a contest layout for a golf contest of the invention is defined by golf course 10. The golf course 10 includes a tee 12 at a first location 13, a first hole 14 located a first distance from first location 13, a second hole 16 located a second distance from first location 13, and a final hole 18 located a third distance from the first location 13. The reason hole 18 is referred to as a final hole instead of a third hole is because, in variations of the golf contest, one or more additional holes may also be positioned on the golf course 10. The prospect of additional holes is somewhat limited by the objectives of the invention, which include a quick testing of skills, and rapid elimination or advancement of players.

As shown in FIG. 1, the second distance is typically greater then the first distance and the final distance is typically greater than the second distance. In variations of the golf contest, the positions of the first, second and final holes 14, 16 and 18 may be reversed or scrambled so that the first hole 14 is not necessarily the closest one to the first location 13, and the final hole 18 is not necessarily the furthest from the first location 13. In other variations, two or more of the holes may be at approximately equal distances from the first location 13.

The first, second and final distances should be set to allow fairly rapid advancement and elimination of players from the contest. If the distances are too large, the contest will be more difficult such that very few of the players will be able to advance in a short playing time. If the distances are too small, the contest will be too easy such that not enough of the players will be eliminated. In the golf course 10 shown in FIG. 1, the first distance from the first location 13 to the first hole 14 may be about four to ten feet, suitably about seven feet. The second distance from the first location 13 to the second hole 16 may be about ten to twenty feet, suitably about fourteen feet. The final distance from the first location 13 to the final hole 18 may be about fifteen to thirty feet, suitably about twenty feet. The distances are measured in a straight line from the first location 13 to the respective holes.

In order to play in the golf contest, the player must first acquire a supply of golf balls and at least one golf club. The supply of golf balls may be limited. If so, the player must hit golf balls into the first, second and final holes before the supply runs out, or be eliminated from the contest. The supply of golf balls may be limited to between five and fifteen, and is suitably not more than nine.

The player competes in the contest by hitting one or more golf balls from the first location 13 toward the first hole 14 until a golf ball lands in the first hole 14. The player also hits one or more golf balls from the first location 13 toward the second hole 16 until a golf ball lands in the second hole 16. The player also hits one or more golf balls from the first location 13 toward the final hole 18 until a golf ball lands in the final hole 18. These steps are typically performed in ordered sequence, such that the player must first complete play of the first hole 14, then the second hole 16, then the final hole 18. In variations of the contest, the order of the steps may be varied or left to the discretion of the player.

In order to advance to a higher level in the contest, the player must hit golf balls from the first location 13 into all of the first, second and final holes within a standard. The standard is typically defined as a playing time limit. The playing time limit may be about two to eight minutes, and is suitably not more than five minutes. Any player who fails to complete play of the first, second and final holes (and intervening holes, if any) within the standard is eliminated from the contest. As explained above, the standard may also include a limit on the number of golf balls in the supply.

The standard may be further defined in a manner that limits the number or percentage of players who advance to the next higher level in the contest. The playing time required by the player to complete play of the first, second and final holes is recorded and compared to the playing times of other players in the contest. Either a predetermined number of players, or a predetermined percentage of players with the lowest playing times are advanced to a higher level in the contest.

Players are typically charged an entry fee to participate in the golf contest. In variations of the contest, players who are eliminated from the contest may be permitted additional attempts by paying additional entry fees. In a further variation, players with multiple entries resulting in multiple playing times may be required to average their playing times for purposes of determining eligibility for advancement.

When a player advances to the next higher level in the contest, the play at the higher level may be completed in substantially the same fashion as described above for the first level of the contest. In variations of the contest, the play at the higher levels can be made more competitive and difficult by tightening the standard to include a shorter time limit and/or a lower number of golf balls in the supply. Depending on the number of contestant players and the size of the contest, the play at successfully higher levels can be performed in the same and/or different golf courses. One or more players who reach the highest levels in the contest, after elimination of all other players, may receive valuable cash or merchandise prizes.

From the perspective of an operator of a contest that requires only a single golf course, or an operator of a single golf course in a larger multi-course contest, the method of operating the golf contest includes the step of providing a golf course 10 including at least a first location 13, a first hole 14 located a first distance from the first location 13, a second hole 16 located a second distance from the first location 13, and a final hole 18 located a final distance from the first location 13. The distances between the first location 13 and the first, second and final holes can be as explained above. As explained above, the golf course 10 may optionally include one or more additional holes between the second hole 16 and the final hole 18.

The contest operator allocates a supply of golf balls to each player on the golf course, and allows each player a limited opportunity to hit golf balls from the first location 13 to the first hole 14, then second hole 16, the final hole 18 and any intervening holes (not shown). The limited opportunity can include limiting the number of golf balls in the supply as explained above, limiting the playing time as explained above, or both.

If the player successfully hits golf balls from the first location into the first hole, the second hole, and the final hole (and any intervening holes), the playing time required to complete these steps is recorded and compared to a standard. In its broadest sense, the standard may be a fixed maximum playing time, and may be the same as the time limit afforded by the limited opportunity described above (for example, about two to ten minutes, or not more than five minutes). Typically, the standard is further determined by comparing the playing times for a plurality of players in the contest (suitably, all of the players) and allowing a predetermined number or percentage of players with the lowest playing times to advance. If the playing time for a player compares favorably to the standard, the player is advanced to the next higher level in the contest.

Again, the method of operating the golf contest at successively higher levels can be performed using the same method steps as the first level. Depending on the size of the contest and the number of players, the successively higher levels of the contest may be operated using the same and/or different golf courses. The players may be charged and entry fee to participate in the contest. The contest is repeated at successively higher levels until one or more top players are identified. The top players may be awarded valuable cash or merchandise prizes.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a method of operating a golf course using a plurality of golf courses 10 as shown in FIG. 1. Each of the golf courses 10 includes a tee 12 at a first location 13, a first hole 14 located a first distance from first location 13, a second hole 16 located a second distance from first location 13, and a final hole 18 located a final distance from the first location 13. The plurality of golf courses 10 used for the first level of the contest is shown as 100. The plurality 100 may include any number of golf courses 10 as required by the contest size.

A plurality of players is selected or otherwise provided for each golf course based on payment of entry fees and/or other criteria. Each player on each golf course is allowed a limited opportunity to hit golf balls from the first location 13 to the first hole 14, the second hole 16, and the final hole 18 (and intervening holes, if any). The limited opportunity may include a limited playing time and/or a limited supply of golf balls for each player.

For each player on each golf course who successfully completes play of the first, second and final holes (and intervening holes, if any), a playing time is recorded and compared to a standard. The standard can be determined by comparing the playing times for the plurality of players on each golf course, and allowing a predetermined portion of players from each golf course to advance. Each player whose playing time compares favorably to the standard is advanced to the next higher level in the contest.

Beginning with the selection of a plurality of players, the foregoing steps can be repeated in each golf course 10 of the plurality 100 until one or more top players are identified for each golf course. The top players from each golf course can then be advanced to the next higher level of the contest using fewer golf courses, so that they can play against each other. This next higher level is illustrated in FIG. 2 by the plurality 200 of golf courses 10.

The playing and elimination process is repeated using the smaller number of golf courses until top players are identified for the plurality 200 of golf courses 10. The top players from the smaller number of golf courses will then advance to an even smaller number of golf courses. The process of playing, elimination, and advancement to successively smaller numbers of golf courses is repeated until finalists are selected to compete against each other on a single golf course 10 at the final level 300 shown in FIG. 2. The playing and elimination continues at the final level 300 until one or more contest winners are determined.

The foregoing golf contest and methods provide players and contest operators with fast, efficient and potentially highly profitable opportunities to test the players' golf skills. Because of the efficiency, the contest is not limited to players who have an abundance of leisure time and can be enjoyed by a wide variety of players from all parts of society.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are presently preferred. Various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims, and all changes that fall within the meaning and range of equivalents are intended to be embraced therein. 

1. A method of playing golf in a contest, comprising the steps of: a) acquiring a supply of golf balls and at least one golf club; b) hitting one or more golf balls from the supply from a first location toward a first hole located a first distance from the first location until a golf ball lands in the first hole; c) hitting one or more golf balls from the supply from the first location toward a second hole located a second distance from the first location until a golf ball lands in the second hole; d) hitting one or more golf balls from the supply from the first location toward a final hole located a final distance from the first location until a golf ball lands in the final hole; and e) advancing to a higher level in the contest only if steps b)-d) are completed within a standard.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the standard includes a playing time limit.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the playing time limit is not more than five minutes.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the standard includes a limit on a number of golf balls in the supply.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the number of golf balls is not more than nine.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the standard is determined by recording a playing time required to complete steps b)-d), comparing the playing time with other playing times in the contest, and allowing a predetermined portion of players with the lowest playing times to advance.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the final distance is greater than the second distance.
 9. A method of operating a golf contest, comprising the steps of: a) providing a golf course including a first location, a first hole located a first distance from the first location, a second hole located a second distance from the first location, and a final hole located a final distance from the first location; b) allocating a supply of golf balls to a player on the golf course; c) allowing the player a limited opportunity to hit golf balls from the first location into the first hole, the second hole and the final hole, wherein the limited opportunity includes at least one of limiting a number of golf balls in the supply and limiting a playing time; d) recording a playing time if the player successfully hits golf balls into the first hole, the second hole and the final hole, and comparing the playing time to a standard; and e) advancing the player to a higher level in the contest if the playing time compares favorably to the standard.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the limited opportunity includes limiting the number of golf balls in the supply to not more than nine.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the limited opportunity includes limiting the playing time to not more than five minutes.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance and the final distance is greater than the second distance.
 13. The method of claim 9, wherein the standard includes a playing time limit.
 14. The method of claim 9, wherein steps b)-e) are repeated for a plurality of players on the golf course, and the standard is set so that only a portion of the plurality of players advance to a higher level in the contest.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the standard is determined by comparing the playing times for the plurality of players, and allowing a predetermined portion of players with lowest playing times to advance.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein steps b)-e) are repeated at successively higher levels in the contest until one or more top players are identified.
 17. A method of operating a golf contest, comprising the steps of: a) providing a plurality of golf courses, each golf course including a first location, a first hole located from a first distance from a first location, a second hole located a second distance from the first location, and a final hole located a final distance from the first location; b) providing a plurality of players on each golf course; c) allowing each player on each golf course a limited opportunity to hit golf balls from the first location into the first hole, the second hole and the final hole; d) recording a playing time of each player on each golf course who successfully hits golf balls into the first hole, the second hole and the final hole, and comparing each playing time to a standard; and e) advancing each player whose playing time compares favorably to the standard, to a higher level in the contest.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein steps b)-e) are repeated on each golf course until one or more top players are identified for each golf course.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of advancing the top players from each golf course to play against each other on a successively smaller number of golf courses, and repeating steps b)-e) using only top players on the successively smaller number of golf courses until one or more contest winners are determined.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the limited opportunity includes a limited playing time and a limited supply of golf balls for each player.
 21. The method of claim 17, wherein the standard is determined by comparing the playing times for the plurality of players on each golf course, and allowing a predetermined portion of players from each golf course with the lowest playing times to advance. 